Minnesota Twins: 2015 Season Preview, Predictions and More
Mar 10, 2015; Dunedin, FL, USA; Minnesota Twins center fielder
Byron Buxton(70) works out prior to the spring training game against the Toronto Blue Jays at Florida Auto Exchange Park. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
My Predictions for 2015
Down to the nitty gritty, or also the part that might make me look really dumb come late September. My predictions for the 2015 Minnesota Twins:
- Joe Mauer will hit over .300 this year and play in at least 115 games: I am bullish on Mauer this season. He has had a rough go of it the past few seasons, particularly in 2014. It is my opinion that he is far too good and still adjacent enough to his prime that he will have a comeback season of sorts in 2015.
- Phil Hughes will lead the Twins in wins: Again, not Earth-shattering but I believe in what he delivered last season. I think the change of clubhouse, market and ballpark was just what the doctor ordered for Hughes and I believe he will continue to do well.
- Either one or both of Byron Buxton and Miguel Sano will make their Major League debut in 2015: I touched on this some already but I think Buxton and Sano are talented enough where either could certainly get a call-up late in the season. It certainly will not be in the first half, both due to preparedness as well as service time considerations.
- The Twins will finish last in the AL Central for at least one more year: I think the AL Central will be the best division in baseball in 2015. The Chicago White Sox added a bunch of talent through free agency in the off-season, the Cleveland Indians have been making strides, the Detroit Tigers have a bunch of talent and the Kansas City Royals just lost the World Series to the San Francisco Giants in seven games. I truly do believe that the Twins will begin to rebound this season, but the hill to climb is awfully steep.
- The Twins will go 78-84: When I was on the SportsTime Radio “It Must be Sunday” show, I predicted 78-84 and I will stick with it. Despite the brutally tough division, I think the Twins will be improved enough to lose fewer than 90 for the first time since 2010.
It should be a fun season in 2015. Keep checking Sporting Sota for Twins updates, and feel free to tell me how wrong I am in the comments.